CHAPTER XVII.
CLOSING SCENES OF THE WAR.
Defence of Puebla — Occupation of the Prominent Points on the National Road — March of General Lane to the Relief of Colonel Childa — Battle of Huamantla — Attack on Atlixco — The Guerilleros — Opening of General Scott's Communications — The Mexican Congress and Government — Negotiations Resumed — The Army in the Capital — Orders for the Collection of Taxes — Expedition to Tehuacan — Affairs in California — Capture of Guayamas and Mazatlan — Defence of La Paz and San Jose — March of Genera! Price upon Chihuahua — Storming of Santa Cruz de Rosales.
Like the memorable retreat of the British army from Burgos, the evacuation of their capital by the Mexican forces was peculiarly unfortunate. Its consequences were more disastrous than the loss of a dozen pitched battles. The legitimate fruits of insubordination were speedily visible; and the murmur — at first low, but portentous — soon swelled into a loud and general outburst of discontent. There were angry disputes and altercations among the officers; and the leaven of strife, once animated, spread rapidly through the ranks. The National Guard disbanded by companies and regiments, — many of their number returning to the city, to mingle with the populace and excite them to vengeance, — some flying to join the guerilla bands on the line of the National road, — and others, who did not care again to incur the hazards and chances of war, escaping to the more distant sections pf the country.
Santa Anna no longer possessed the ability to con-
